Dave Magarity -- Elvis Presley

TONY AND RAQUEL

Recently I was perusing the College Insider website and came across my final submission of the 2001-2002 season. I took a more serious approach in my last column, which is more shocking than then Steve Lavin actually deciding against the use of hair gel products.

So I thought it was time for a little less gel, a little less conversation and time for another one of my more familiar essays.

Over the summer I had the opportunity to take in a few new films in the theatre. And at home I pillaged both my video archives and my refrigerator. In the process I have added more movie information to my already massive skull, which I will be sharing with you throughout the course of the season.

It's getting close to that time of year when coaches all across America will be searching for popular VHS choices to show their players on the long and perilous road trips, which are as much a part of college basketball as Lavin's hair follicle approach.

Perhaps I am mistaken, but I thought I caught a glimpse of Lavin and Villanova's Jay Wright in the season-premier of "The Sopranos."

The return of Tony Soprano and company was almost as highly anticipated as Seth Greenberg's and Phil Martelli's upcoming infomercial for the Hair Club for Men.

What a tremendous job by the producers for incorporating some classic films in the season-opener. If you were paying close attention, you would have noticed that Tony was watching John Wayne and Dean Martin in, "Rio Bravo" and Uncle Junior was tuned into Robert Mitchum's classic, "Heaven Knows Mr. Allison."

That was outstanding, but the costume department gets five stars for outfitting the lovely undercover FBI agent with a t-shirt with a window box. What a tremendous visual.

Speaking of optimum optical, the other night I finally found a program on Telemundo, which I was able to thoroughly enjoy.

The Spanish television network showed the Sci-Fi classic, "One Million Years B.C.," which was the screen debut of Raquel Welch who spent two hours dodging prehistoric predators in an outfit with less substance than dental floss.

I did not understand a single world and it was tremendous!

As appealing as Ms. Welch's appearance was to the men of my generation, one individual wowed and continues to wow women everywhere. No, I am not referring to myself, although my wife Rita would undoubtedly agree that I possess both charm and sex appeal.

That title of sex appeal could only be fit for royalty. And Elvis Presley was and still is the King.

THE KING

In case you may have missed the announcement, RCA has released a new CD, containing Elvis' 30 greatest hits. I plan on dusting off my rhinestone suit, slipping on my blue suede shoes, gluing on the old side burns and heading down to the store to pick up my copy.

I am looking forward to hearing the remix of "A Little Less Conversation," which is highlighted with guest vocals from college basketball's version of Elvis, Villanova head coach Jay Wright.

It's ironic that Jay's favorite Elvis film is "Viva Las Vegas," especially when you consider that he and, current Hofstra coach, Tom Pecora spent time in Vegas with Rollie Massimino.

If you don't believe that Elvis is alive and well at Villanova, watch the next time the Wildcats are on television this season. You'll notice that sideline shots only show Jay from the waist up.

In addition to "Viva Las Vegas," the Presley film parade, which still has a cult following today, boasts such classics as "Blue Hawaii," "Jailhouse Rock," and my favorite "King Creole" to name a few.

Elvis starred in 31 films of which I have selected ten for review, followed by some more recent theatrical treasures with an Elvis theme.

BLUE HAWAII (1961): The King returns home to Honolulu, but has no interest in working on his parent's pineapple plantation. He opts for a job as tour guide, where he gets the opportunity to show off his musical talents. One of my all-time favorite tunes "Can't Help Falling in Love" is one of the featured songs, which brings back memories of my slow dancing days at the eighth grade dance. "Murder She Wrote" star Angela Lansbury stars in the film.

CHANGE OF HABIT (1969): This would be Presley's film finale. He plays a doctor from the ghetto who takes a fancy to a plain-clothes nun, played by Mary Tyler Moore. One year later, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," would make its' television debut and one of the sitcom's featured actors, Ed Asner, also starred in this Elvis film.

CLAMBAKE (1967): One of my friends at College Insider reminded me of this classic, which she recently purchased on DVD. The son of an oil tycoon, Presley is determined to make a mark on his own and catch the fancy of a young lady without the lure of his fortune. He competes with Bill Bixby, of "Incredible Hulk" fame for the attention of an attractive brunette. The King in competition with the Hulk? That would be like me competing for a woman's attention with Iona's Jeff Ruland. In other words, no contest!

G.I BLUES (1960): Well it's one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready now? Almost got a little carried away there, but "Blue Suede Shoes" was one of the featured songs in this cult classic. But make no mistake about it, in my youth I had that Presley shake. That's right, a few pounds ago I had the Elvis sex appeal. This flick is well worth renting or purchasing.

GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS (1962): Assuming that my wife has been reading along, I believe it would be in my best interest to refrain from getting creative with the title of this Elvis feature film. However that will not keep from having fun with the title of one of the film's featured songs, which tells the tale of Southwest Missouri State coach Barry Hinson. It's called, "The Song of the Shrimp." The plot centers on Elvis getting his father's boat out of hock by singing a few tunes at the local drinking establishment. "Return to Sender," which is a song about my days spent defending Ruland in the post, is also spotlighted. Playboy pinup, Stella Stevens stars in the movie.

JAILHOUSE ROCK (1957): Many film critics consider this to be Presley's best work. The King learns to play the guitar while spending some time behind bars, but his new-found fame takes its toll. His poolside performance of "You're so Square" is tremendous and of course there is that vivid visual of Elvis and the inmates singing "Jailhouse Rock."

KID GALAHAD (1962): This is a musical remake of Edward G. Robinson's 1937 film, which stars Charles Bronson. Presley comes out of the army and into a boxing career, which isn't exactly what he had in mind. It won't be mentioned in the same breath as "Raging Bull," but it is well worth popping into the VCR.

KING CREOLE (1958): This is one of my favorites and I am not alone. Many believe this to be the best Elvis film. Walter Matheau plays a mobster in French Quarter who demands that Presley perform exclusively at his club. This leads to a lot of trouble for the King, especially when he gets involved with Matheau's female companion. That's real bad, considering that Elvis already has a woman of his own. Matheau's lady is played by Carolyn Jones, who was one of Vincent Price's victims in "House of Wax." Dolores Hart, who got her fame in "Where the Boys Are," plays Elvis' girl. This is a terrific story.

LOVE ME TENDER (1956): The Civil War is the setting for this fantastic film, which was the King's big screen debut. Due to his age, Elvis' character is spared from going to war, but his brother goes to battle and is reported to have been killed in action. Elvis consoles his dead brother's sweetheart and the two find romance. However reports of the brother's death have been greatly exaggerated. Excellent plot.

VIVA LAS VEGAS (1964): Ann Margaret plays the King's love interest in this fan favorite. Margaret is a big fan of Elvis, but is not a big fan of his Grand Prix racing. Nevertheless, Presley shakes and shimmies his way into Margaret's heart. He wins the race and gets the girl. What other ending could you expect from an Elvis film? Jay Wright plays Elvis' stunt double for the racing sequences.

KURT, COSTNER AND HARVEY

Over the years Hollywood has offered up many biographical looks at the King, as well as countless Elvis theme films. So the next time you in your local video store, and you come across 3,000 MILES TO GRACELAND, do yourself a favor and don't rent it.

Kevin Costner and Kurt Russell lead a band of Elvis impersonators who plan to rob a Vegas casino. Russell makes a pretty good Elvis, but the film is otherwise very mundane.

However Russell was tremendous in the made for TV movie "Elvis" playing the lead role as the King.

This film marked the beginning of a long actor-director relationship. "Elvis" was directed by John Carpenter who would teammate up again with Russell in such films as "Escape from New York," "The Thing," "Big Trouble in Little China" and "Escape from L.A."

Of all the attempts to imitate Presley, the man who was "Snake Plissken" was far and away the chart topper.

Russell also had a bit part in the 1963 Elvis film, "It Happened at the World's Fair."

One of the all-time classic Elvis scenes comes from the campy Nicholas Cage film, HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, which was just on TBS the other night. Anyone who has seen the film will remember the flying Elvis'.

James Caan and Sarah Jessica Parker also star in this story, in which the plot is very similar to "Indecent Proposal."

Who knew at the time that Cage would end up dating the King's daughter, Lisa Marie.

Finally, to all my fellow coaches out there, this film could fit into that category of "Chick Flick," which always come in handy for those who found themselves in the proverbial dog house at some point during the season.

Harvey Keitel stars in FINDING GRACELAND, which offers a little humor, a little compassion, the message of having faith and a lot of Elvis.

Keitel believes he is really Elvis and he is on a pilgrimage back to Graceland. Bridget Fonda also stars in this movie, which you will definitely find enjoyable.

Watch it with the wife and you will be let out of the dog house.